Former WABC sports reporter takes discrimination case to federal court

Former WABC sports reporter Laura Behnke is continuing her legal battle against the station.

Behnke and her attorney Dave Rosenberg filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation in Manhattan Federal Court on Thursday, according to documents obtained by Page Six, six months after they filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

“Ms. Behnke looks forward to vigorously prosecuting these very serious discrimination and retaliation claims in federal court against WABC,” Rosenberg told Page Six.

She’s seeking compensatory, emotional, physical, and punitive damages (where applicable), lost pay, front pay, injunctive relief, reinstatement and any other damages permitted by law, the documents state. She’s also requesting her legal fees be covered, as well as a trial by jury.

Behnke previously accused WABC/Channel 7 boss Camille Edwards of gender and race discrimination after the company hired Ryan Field to take the main sports anchor position, despite promising to promote from within and having Behnke temporarily fill the position after Rob Powers departed.

Behnke told then-general manager Dave Davis and Edwards, “The logical explanation is that you did not choose me because I am a woman.”

She later found herself facing consequences for launching a personal fashion blog after bosses felt she was endorsing brands. She removed the content and emailed a response to Edwards and copied a SAG-AFTRA representative, writing, “I did not mean to endorse any brands. If you look at many posts by other talent at the station you will see very similar things. I just want to make sure I’m not being singled out and/or bullied on this matter.”

Eventually, Behnke involved an ABC attorney, claiming Edwards was singling her out because “I am a white female.”

She added, “I believe that is also the reason I didn’t get the main sports anchor position.”

Behnke departed WABC in December when her contract expired, despite attempts to negotiate a three-year extension. She claimed human resources refused to answer her questions about whether she’d still have to work under Edwards, which she believed was “in retaliation of her gender, race and color discrimination complaint.”

Edwards resigned from her position in March following a temporary leave she took while facing multiple discrimination complaints.

Davis also departed the company, announcing his retirement in February. WABC has since named Debra O’Connell to succeed Davis as president and general manager.